Obama To Send Special Operations Forces To Syria

Today the White House announced that it will be sending special operations forces to Syria to work alongside locals groups in the fight against ISIS.

This is just the latest example of the growing intensity of fighting in Syria, as Russia and Iran continue to increase their presence.

The number of troops will be small, standing at only 50 but the presence of U.S. boots on the ground is a major shift in U.S. policy.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter also said to expect more raids like the one last week that freed 70 Kurdish prisoners.

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From NBC News:

he White House will announce Friday that a small number of U.S. special operations forces will be sent into Syria as part of a shift in its strategy against ISIS, according to officials.

A senior administration official confirmed that President Barack Obama has authorized a contingent of less than 50 special operations forces to deploy to northern Syria.

“We have been focused on intensifying elements of our strategy that have been working, while also moving away from elements of our approach that have proven less effective,” the official explained.

The move will be described as a “shift” but not a “change” in U.S. strategy against ISIS, according to another senior U.S. official. The official said the special operations forces will be stationed in northern Syria and work alongside groups with a “proven track record” of fighting ISIS.